Alteration of the lipid profile is the foundation of both primary and secondary prevention of coronary artery disease. Statins have become the gold standard for lowering LDL-cholesterol levels; however, an increasing number of studies have shown the benefit and importance of increasing HDL-cholesterol levels. Extended-release (ER) niacin (Niaspan^®) is a safe and effective treatment for raising HDL levels. In addition to its effects on lipids, emerging data suggest that ER niacin has other beneficial roles on the vasculature, likely due to its antioxidant properties and lowering of prothrombotic factors. A large multicenter, 4-year follow-up clinical study, the Atherothrombosis Intervention in Metabolic Syndrome in Low HDL/High Triglycerides and Impact on Global Health Outcomes (AIM-HIGH) study is currently being conducted in the USA and Canada to further evaluate the benefits of adding ER niacin to statins in patients with atherogenic dyslipidemia. The current review describes the importance of HDL-raising therapy and the role of ER niacin in the present-day management of dyslipidemia.